Wisdom Archives - Page 51 of 52

Let Go and Let God

July 30, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

If we Google let go and let God, we receive about 37,400 results. This expression is probably best known as a slogan for Al-Anon, a support group for friends and family of people with addictions. Yet, its popularity goes much further. But what does it mean?

First, let’s look at what let go and let God does not mean.

It does not:

Justify neglect of responsibility
Equal apathy or laziness
Mean accepting defeat

God gave us a brain and physical abilities for a reason. He expects us to use them, under His guidance.

Let go and let God does mean we:

Realize we are not all knowing. God is.
Understand we are not all powerful. God is.
Accept we cannot be everywhere. God can.
Recognize we do not sees life’s big picture — past, present, and future. God does.
Confess our limitations in order to receive God’s unlimited power.
Let go of fear, jealousy, ego, worry, and other negative emotions.

Releasing control goes against our nature.

Some of us want to:

Fix any problem
Take responsibility for every solution
Manage everyone and everything

Yet, only by releasing our lives and those we love to God’s will can we experience true peace.

Like the child in the offering plate, we must give God all. God’s answers may not come in the way and at the time we expect. Nevertheless, they will come.

We have a choice.

Will we let go and let God or continue our self-defeating quest for control?

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

Thanks to Karen Atwood for the suggestion.

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A Dime a Dozen

July 23, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

When we want to describe something common or easy to find, a dime a dozen says it well.

A dime a dozen often implies a lack of worth.

A dime won’t buy much. Occasionally we buy cheap toys we know will break easily. Yet we think, If they break, we can just throw them away.

How often do we treat people as worthless?

How do we view those with little money?
When someone makes a mistake, do we help them or give up on them?
How do we act around those different from us?
Do we look down on those who fail to meet our standards?
How many have we labeled hopeless and undeserving of our time and effort?

Sadly, many people accept this judgment.

After years of mistreatment, they give up. They stop seeking a better life. They believe they deserve the way we treat them.

How dare we do that to another human being!

A broken toy can be thrown away. A broken person needs our love and concern.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3 NIV).

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Over the Hill

July 16, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 7 comments

“You’re not over the hill yet, but my mom just went over the hill.” Those words came from an elementary-age girl whose mother had just celebrated her 35th birthday. The mother laughed. She remembered thinking the same thing about her mother at that age.

Young people often believe middle-age and older adults are over the hill.

They think they have reached their peak in life. In their opinion, anyone 35 or older:

Is out of touch with the latest fads, language, and styles
Stops having fun
Sets no more worthwhile goals
Loses their spirit of adventure

Wrong! The fun just begins, if we relax and enjoy the journey.

The need to impress, to fit in with the cool crowd, and to prove ourselves diminishes.
We learn to enjoy the moment for what it is, not what we wish.
That freedom exhilarates, and the future looks promising.

As Robert Browning said:

Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in His hand
Who saith ‘A whole I planned,
Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!’”

“I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live” (Psalm 104:33 NIV).

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Bloom Where You’re Planted

July 2, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

This picture, taken in a geyser basin of Yellowstone National Park, demonstrates bloom where you’re planted perfectly. Surrounded by geysers and hot springs, these flowers thrive. I’m certain a plant scientist could explain that. However, to an untrained eye, it looks impossible. In the midst of boiling water, thick steam, and crusty ground, flowers grow and bloom.

These flowers remind us to bloom where we’re planted.

Our life circumstances (where we’re planted) may be good or bad. Yet we can grow and spread cheer (bloom) regardless of our circumstances. Certainly, that’s easier when life goes well. At the same time, some of the most cheerful people have experienced the hardest lives.

A poor man with a sick wife gives snacks to children at his church every week.
A dying wife encourages her husband and children to live well after her death.
A hungry woman gives the last of her food to neighbors.

Will we bloom where we’re planted and spread joy?

Or will we wilt and spread gloom? Each of us must choose.

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon” (Psalm 92:12 NIV).

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A Little Bird Told Me

June 25, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 0 Comment

When people don’t want to reveal their source of information, they may say, “A little bird told me.”

Sometimes they share positive news that gives the listener joy. At other times, their negative words cause great pain.

The information source may never be known. Yet, with modern technology, the origin can usually be found. We hear and read daily of politicians, entertainers, and even working class people who get embarrassed by what they have said or done. They didn’t think anyone heard or saw them. They were wrong.

If we don’t want our words repeated, we’d better not say them.

If we don’t want our actions shown, we’d better not do them. Who knows what little bird may be listening or watching, waiting to reveal what we say and do.

“Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.” (Ecclesiastes 10:20 NIV).

Thanks to all who suggested this and other expressions. Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

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Make Hay While the Sun Shines

June 11, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

A farmer has to make hay while the sun shines.

His work depends on the weather.

If rain delays cutting the hay, it may be tough and have little food value.
Rainfall after hay is cut, but before it’s raked and baled, requires extra work to remove the moisture.
If the rain lasts too long, an entire crop could be lost.
Without hay for their livestock, farmers have to buy feed or sell their animals.

How does make hay while the sun shines apply to non-farmers?

We can spend days or years planning what we want to do. However, we have only one certain way to achieve our goals: If the circumstances are right, act now.

Several clichés explain this particular farming expression:

Make the most of your opportunities.
We have no guarantee of tomorrow.
There’s no time like the present.

Let’s act while we have the opportunity.

Let’s make hay while the sun shines! If we wait, we may lose our chance forever.

As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work (John 9:4 NIV).

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Busybody

June 4, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

I don’t want to tell my secrets to a gossip (a busybody), do you?

If someone talks about everybody else, that person will talk about us.

Gossips “stick their noses into other people’s business.” They try to learn all they can about others, especially anything negative. Then they tell everyone else about it. This usually makes the gossip look far worse than the one discussed. No one trusts such negative attitudes, actions, or words.

Many people would never spread a falsehood about others, yet they freely share negative truths. Truly, a shameful truth hurts just as much as a shameful lie. As a result, some words are better left unsaid.

Years ago a teacher gave our class three questions to ask before we speak:

Is what I plan to say true?
Is what I plan to say kind?
Does what I plan to say glorify God?

Answering the first question is easy. The second becomes more difficult. The third has a much better chance of keeping our mouths closed.

Use these three questions. You won’t regret it.

“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much” (Proverbs 20:19 NIV).

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Hold Your Horses

May 28, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

As small children, my sister and I did not enjoy shopping. Instead, we wanted to play. So, when we had to shop with Mom or Dad, we walked fast.

Like horses ready for a race, we had one goal. We wanted to return home, the quicker the better. Our plan had one problem. When we walked fast, our parents usually yelled, “Hold your horses!” They were telling us to stop. It wasn’t time to go. We needed to buy groceries or clothes.

Similar to horses obeying their riders, we obeyed our parents. We walked slower. We tried to bridle (a nice horsy word) our energy. We didn’t enjoy it. It interfered with our plans. Yet it taught us important lessons.

Listening to our parents helped us avoid danger. Later we learned to identify those dangers for ourselves. Just like young horses, we needed guidance. We needed patience. We needed to learn to use our energy for the benefit of ourselves and others.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2 NIV).

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Let Bygones Be Bygones

April 30, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

The past controls too many people.

They will not let bygones be bygones. Instead of letting the past be past, they spend all their time remembering.

Some remember great things they did but can no longer do.
Others wish for the simpler, easier life when they were younger.

Far too many think about all the wrongs done to them.

Their family or friends hurt them.
Their boss treated them unfairly.
They lost money.
They never had a chance to improve their lives.

Everything that happens affects us.

Many people do suffer unfairly. Others live with painful memories. Some allow anger to control their lives. They hurt others because they feel hurt.

Life’s not always fair. We must decide how to live with that fact.

Will we learn from the past but live in the present? Only then can we look forward to the future.

Let’s not allow the past to control us.

Let bygones be bygones.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” (Isaiah 43:18 NIV).

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Ride the Fence

April 23, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Ride the fence reminds me of a favorite scene in the old movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. The main character, George, walks back and forth in front of Mary’s house, hitting the fence with a stick and mumbling. Mary leans her head out the window and asks, “Have you made up your mind?”

While physically hitting a fence, George was emotionally riding the fence. He hadn’t decided whether to visit Mary. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do about his life goals.

George wanted to travel. Mary wanted a home in their small town. Mary wanted marriage. George did not. Others saw that George was falling in love with Mary. George denied those feelings.

We get nowhere if we physically sit on top of a fence. To move forward, we must climb down on one side or the other. The same is true of our emotions.

Like George, if we ride the fence, we will probably stay upset until we decide. We need to take time for good decisions. We have to emotionally get off the fence.

Have you made up your mind about the direction of your life? What receives most of your attention? What goals have you set? Do those goals match your beliefs?

Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose (Psalm 25:12 NIV).

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